Wednesday, 2 December 2009

The appeal for toiletries for our troops came to an end on Tuesday and we handed over many Hundreds of items to The Royal Welsh, this appeal has been hard work but one that I am pleased to have been apart of.

I would like to thank all that have contributed to this appeal and I pray for a safe tour for our troops. I think the picture says more than I could write, if I can do anything to assist these great people, I will.

Monday, 16 November 2009

Had an email this morning asking my view on copyright?I am going to review my posts as I obviously do not want to breach this. I will also seek some advice as to what I can publish and hopefully offer advice to fellow bloggers.

Saturday, 14 November 2009

I was up til the early hours this morning dealing with ward flooding issues and thankfully had no properties flooded to my knowledge. I would like to thank the Environment and Highway department staff for their hard work, preventing any internal flooding.

Today about midday, I was contacted by a County Councillor asking for help and advice regarding flooding in St Andrews Road Llandudno. I went to the location only to be presented with a serious incident, on scene were Fire, Cartrefi Conwy and Council staff. There were about 8 properties flooded all occupied by our elderly residents, to be frank the scene upset me. I have no doubt that there will be an investigation into what has happened. I stayed all afternoon to assist as a volunteer.

I have been to quite a few flooding incidents but have never been this close to victims of flood damage. My sister's house was flooded out when she lived in Llandudno Junction in 1993 and she told me of her loss as I was working away at the time. My sister was insured, Many were not!! My sister told me that the greatest loss were simple things with great sentimental value.

I am the Chairman of the Conwy Drainage Group which has a multi agency membership and deals with issues such as this in St Andrews Road. I will be placing this incident at the top of the agenda with a view to looking for improvements. Although not proven, this looks like there could have been a problem with a pumping station in the area, my understanding at this stage is that this is an issue for Dwr Cymru to investigate. I know that Cartrefi Conwy Housing Association who own the properties are working hard to restore the properties.

I have learnt a lot from this personal experience, something I will bear in mind in my role as Chairman of the Conwy Drainage Group. I will update on this blog, the findings of the investigation.

The Liberal Democrats don't rely on tough talk and gimmicks like the other parties. I would like to take this opportunity to inform you on some of the work that Mike Priestley, Liberal Democrat, has done as a volunteer, Town Councillor and County Councillor. I have had a number of emails asking about my role in the "Crack House Closure" on my ward and it is this that has prompted this post.

7 years ago I replied to an advert in the paper asking for volunteers to set up what is called a Local Action Partnership (LAPs). These partnerships were part of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to empower the community to work in partnership with the police and other agencies to tackle crime and disorder. I contacted the late Inspector Meirion Cassey (great man) offering my help. This group was duly set up and I was nominated as Chairman. The area we covered was Deganwy, Llandudno Junction and Conwy and we dealt with many many issues. I believe we were second in Wales to instigate a dispersal order, ours was in the Town of Conwy which was being plagued by yobs. This dispersal order was a tool for the police to challenge and disperse groups of people acting in an anti social manner. This was very successful and I was quite amazed at the amount of councillors on the television and in the press taking credit for the work that this group had done.

As a County Councillor and after months of work, I challenged an anti social issue in my ward and with the police and the council and a colleague instigated the "Crack House Closure". I went to court and gave evidence at this trial. The result was an 85% reduction in calls to the police in this area and the issue dealt with. Not a good time for my family as this was a worrying and stressful time. I was amazed that Peter Hain MP and Tony McNulty MP visited the area and subsequently mentioned how tough they were on crime for the next few days as if they were responsible for the "Crack House Closure".

More recently, I am involved in another case that I have no doubt will hit the press headlines. I think what I am trying to say is that as an elected member and as a resident, I am prepared to put my head above the parapet and quite frankly I laugh when people say the liberals are not tough on crime.

I am now going to bullet point some Liberal Democrat policy on Crime and Policing:

We will place 10,000 more police on the streets

We will introduce more effective policing using technology

Reform sentences to say what they mean, Life must mean Life

Provide secure mental health and drug treatment centres

Establish a violent offenders register so that enforcement agencies could monitor the movements of dangerous criminals

Crime is a major issue within our communities and Britain as a whole and it is also an issue that I would tackle head on. I make no apology for the length of this blog but I hope it has given you a flavour of how I address crime and disorder and also my party. For more information please go to

Friday, 13 November 2009

In the last 2 weeks this school has had 2 break ins a total of 9 laptops have been stolen, 2 laptops have been found. What type of people would steal off our children?

I am a school governor here and we will now have to divert money from the education budget to beef up security, so our children will suffer twice because of the thieving scumbags. Any information please call:

Sunday, 1 November 2009

I was very disappointed this week with the Conservative group in Conwy. In Principal scrutiny committee Wednesday 28th October, chaired by the conservative leader, they tabled a recommendation to cut the percentage of affordable housing in the corporate plan from 50% to 25% stating 50% is not achievable!!.

I believe 50% is a challenging target but we all need targets and goals. I had a part in negotiations in Llandudno Junction in which we were successful in achieving 30% affordable housing on an application of 225 units just off Victoria Drive, giving the opportunity to 67 local families to afford or be housed in their local community. Under the Tory proposal this would be cut to about 56 local families a reduction of 11 or so, in my opinion this is a backward step and one that will have a devastating effect on local people.

I gave the conservative group in Conwy the opportunity to rethink their proposal on Thursday in full council, I hope they reconsider this because under their plans, up to 11 local families would miss out on a home in the Llandudno Junction scheme.

Launched this appeal Thursday. Saturday I received a telephone call from Tescos informing me that the trolley was full to overflowing. My thanks to all who have contributed and Saturday was only day 3. We have until the end of November for the collection of these goods and during this time we will expand this appeal to other local supermarkets.

Tuesday, 27 October 2009

While on holiday in Greece this year, I met a lad from Abergele who is a sergeant in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. One of our conversations turned to Afghanistan and he told me what the conditions were like and how at times it was a very lonely place. The conversation then went on to how well Goody Boxes were received and what a boost to morale this had. This got me thinking that I would like to show my support and appreciation for the very difficult environment they are in and I also wanted to help. When I returned to Conwy, I spoke to Councillor Merfyn Thomas, who has a military background and he was aware of the goody boxes and the positive effect they have on morale.

Whether you agree or disagree with the war in Afghanistan, I believe our local troops deserve our support. Today in Tescos, Llandudno Junction, Councillor Merfyn Thomas and myself Launched Operation Christmas Goody Box. This appeal will run alongside one currently being held in Flintshire.

The Royal Welsh are about to go on a seven month tour in Helmand province. We are appealing for local people to show their support by donating toiletries, wet wipes, toothpaste, deodorant (not aerosol), shower gel and boiled sweets, mints, jellies, no chocolate. Magazines, puzzle books and writing materials are also needed.

A local school has agreed to write Christmas messages which will be placed in each box. Everything that is collected from Tescos in Llandudno Junction will be boxed up in Dale Barracks Chester and flown out hopefully in time for Christmas. Councillor Thomas and myself are looking to extend this appeal eastwards to Rhos on Sea and Colwyn Bay. You can donate from Thursday 29th October until 30th November at Tescos Llandudno Junction (there will be a trolley by the exit). I will update as and when we have more drop off sites.

Sunday, 25 October 2009

Visited the food festival this morning, Conwy is looking great with big crowds and a steady stream of local people walking across the cob, it's really great to see such an event at the end of the season.

I spoke with some traders they said that despite yesterdays poor start with the weather, they were expecting good trade today, I wish them well.

Conwy is one of my most favourite Towns and it does seem to buck the trend with it's very successful butchers, bakers, fruit and Veg shop and Conwy Fine Wines, to name a few.

Friday, 23 October 2009

Paul Davies of the All Wales Directors of NHS Finance stunned the NAW Finance Committee this week with an admission that a fifth (£1billion) of the NHS budget is not being spent efficiently. Kirsty Williams commented

“While we acknowledge that this money is being spent on patient care, it is unacceptable that £1 billion is not being used to the maximum effect to benefit patients. This raises very serious questions about the strategic management of our NHS and its ability to deliver value for Welsh taxpayers’ money.“

Tuesday, 20 October 2009

Had a walk around Colwyn Bay today with the Head of Street Scene and an Officer from our Enforcement Team. We have two independent audits each year by Keep Wales Tidy and the problem of smoke related litter is always highlighted in their reports. The problem has got worse since the smoking ban and I think that this needs the attention of all departments across the Authority and the Police. I have particular concerns about cigarette butts outside some public houses and cafes and feel we need to all work together to eliminate this. The Environment Department has and is investing in different types of machinery that can pick up this litter and we are also now looking at litter bins with a type of ashtray attachment. I don't think this will be an easy nut to crack but we must keep trying.

I think the message has to go out that it is unacceptable to flick your cigarette out of your car window or stamp on it and leave it on the pavement. I received a phone call from a person a few weeks ago complaining that her son had received a fixed penalty fine for discarding his cigarette on the pavement, she asked if I could help have the fine rescinded. I said sorry I can't help!!

Monday, 19 October 2009

Today in Rhos-On-Sea we launched an outdoor gym for our more mature residents, it was also good to see a couple using the equipment as we arrived for the Photo Shoot. In this picture left to right, Rhos-On-Sea Councillors Phil Edwards and Roger Parry, Lyn Davies Head of Street scene and his assistant Mr Peter Barton-Price and Myself.

Sunday, 18 October 2009

Just Home from conference in Wrexham. Came back to some sad news that our 18 year old cat "Zag" had to be put to sleep. To me he was a good, loyal, boy!!

A very important motion was passed at conference regarding elected members allowances and transparency. A code of conduct for members of the Assembly and Parliament was passed. Every Welsh candidate or elected AM/MP will adhere to the following pledges:

No Welsh Liberal Democrat AM/MP will be able to profit from selling their subsidised second homes. Any AM/MP already owning a second home will return any profits to the relevant Fees Office after ceasing to be an AM/MP.

I will not flip my second or first residence (unless for significant family or ministerial reasons)

I will not claim for furniture, household goods, non essential capital improvements or stamp duty

Any new AM/MP will be allowed a nominal set up cost for any second residence. Any expenditure will represent best value for money and be published in full

I will claim for rent, ground rent, hotels, overnight subsistence, with receipts, mortgage interest, council tax, service charges, utility bills, telephone, line rental, insurance, building and contents

I will always aim to get the best value for money on trips, property, overnight stays and any other expenses claimed

I will always be open with the tax authorities on any rental income received from my second home

Any couples married or otherwise will only claim for one second residence to the equivalent of one persons rental, mortgage and utilities allowance

I will regularly publish my own expenses in the interest of transparency

Anybody who fails to sign up to these standards or fails to comply with them will, under the Welsh Party Rules, no longer be eligible to stand as a Welsh Liberal Democrat Candidate.

I will sign up to this Code of Conduct and feel it will go some way in instilling confidence in politics.

I feel that the government should own properties and rent them out to politicians on a fixed term period, perhaps after the 2012 Olympics the government could adapt the athletes village and rent the properties out (i.e. stopping individuals capitalising on second homes) and ultimately having an asset at the end of the contract, just a thought!!.

Wednesday, 14 October 2009

It was announced at Cabinet that we have received our provisional Welsh Assembly Settlement, an increase of 1.1% against a Wales average of 2%. It is worth noting that confirmation of our settlement will be in December, now is the time for all Councillors that can, to lobby their Assembly Members. I will be lobbying the Liberal Democrats this weekend at Conference in Wrexham.

Forecast Expenditure for Conwy 2010/2011:

£190,993,000

Resources

WAG Settlement including increase £146,042,000

Council Tax £ 38,485,000

Council Tax increase 5% ?? £1,924,000

Shortfall £4,542,000 - Savings have been identified and we have a group of Councillors and Officers working together to identify future savings, it has to be said they are doing a great job.

I am working with the Environment Department to find 2% efficiency savings and the truth of the matter is that it's getting really difficult, our budget is £12,600,000.

Saturday, 10 October 2009

I think parking around the county has become easier since the introduction of Conwys parking attendants, for example I am a customer of Edwards of Conwy, it was always difficult to park for the 10-15 minutes needed, now I find it a lot easier.

It must be a very difficult job to carry out being a Civil Enforcement Officer (Traffic Warden) and I have heard of a few being verbally and physically assaulted. These officers have to be consistent in their approach because if they turn a blind eye to what one vehicle does and then ticket another, this would leave them wide open. By being consistent in a way protects these officers. There is a separate appeals panel that will consider any issues raised by drivers challenging tickets.

I attended a meeting at Llandudno Swimming pool on Friday night and left at around 8:15pm, I parked on the road just up from Boulevard, when leaving I saw two officers placing parking tickets on cars and also taking photos of them. I couldn't help thinking of the owners coming away from Conwy County Councils Venue Cymru, having seen a great show and enjoying the evening only to be presented with a parking fine. What a " Show Stopper ". I will take this up with the department concerned, surely if you are a customer of the Swimming pool or Venue Cymru you should get a pass. I will check to see what the procedure is at this site and update on this blog.

Held a meeting last night, excellent venue, in a meeting room in Llandudno swimming pool.

After all the official business I announced my team for the forthcoming general election. I was particularly pleased to announce my Agent, Christine Humphreys, who is currently president of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and is vastly experienced politically and more importantly knows the role of agent. I announced a further ten posts all of which tie in to and will play a major role in the campaign which has started in Aberconwy. I am humbled by local people stopping me in the street and when I am out shopping offering help. My wife Lorraine has now added an extra half hour to our shopping trips!!

I am now very confident that we can campaign across the constituency. We now have up to forty friends and volunteers that can assist, deliver and canvass. A very positive meeting with some good feedback from visitors from Bangor and a good venue to hold a meeting, you could say I made quite a splash!!

When I left the meeting at around 8:15pm I witnessed Conwy's Parking attendants at work, I will blog this later.

Friday, 9 October 2009

I attended the ceremony of "Topping out " at the Llandudno Junction Welsh Assembly building yesterday which is a tradition of placing the last beam at the top of a building. This was conducted by the First Minister Rhodri Morgan, he was accompanied by Ieuan Wyn Jones Deputy First Minister.

This building project is being delivered by Pochin Construction for the Welsh Assembly Government and the value of the contract is around £20m, so far £13m has been spent, £9m locally. I was told that the project was on time and budget. On site working were around 100 sub-Contractors or as John Pochin called them build partners, most of them local.

Pochin expect to hand over the building to the Assembly in April 2010 and it's expected to be operational in the Summer of that year. I have to say I am amazed by the progress on this building.

Tuesday, 6 October 2009

Thought I'd share an incident with you that happened this afternoon. Around about 3pm I received a phone call from a resident who was in quite an anxious state. The call was regarding a future planning application and some tree felling on the site. The resident stated that they believed some of the trees being felled had protection orders on them and I was aware that the site had a number of trees with what is called Tree Preservation Orders (TPO's). When you receive a call like this you have to act quickly. I made a call to Conwy's Regulatory Services, asked for the TPO Officer and within half an hour was on site surveying it along with the Officer. It turned out in this instance the trees being felled were not protected, however, I have experienced on two other occasions protected trees being felled. One case we won in court and a £10,000 fine was imposed, the other we lost. I feel that chopping down protected trees is an act of vandalism.

Below is some information you may find useful regarding TPO's.

Conwy County Councils' planning (Regulatory Services) department deals with all matters relating to 'amenity trees'; those trees that are grown mainly because they help to improve the quality of our lives, rather than for their value as a timber crop. Amenity trees are found in town and country gardens, parks and other open spaces, or lining the sides of streets, railways and rivers. Not only do they make places more attractive, but they also provide valuable habitats for wildlife, improve the air we breathe, help to conserve energy and much more.We have strong legislation that protects trees and woods in conservation areas, and gives Conwy's planning authority wide powers to make tree preservation orders (TPOs). This protection is similar in many ways to the listed buildings system and helps preserve our most valued trees. You may ask Conwy's Planning Authority to consider making a TPO for trees that you feel should be protected.

To check whether a tree is protected and to make an application to carry out pruning or felling work to a protected tree, you should contact Conwy Planning department (Regulatory Services) on 01492 575105 or 574000 and ask for Tree Preservation Officer in Regulatory Services.

I was out in Deganwy again in the week and very worthwhile it was, again some interesting comments regarding local and national issues. What is very clear to me at this very early stage is that Labour are going to suffer a major defeat in Aberconwy. Plaid Cymru again being criticised for jumping into bed with Labour in the Assembly and their inability to influence in Westminster.

I was also interested in the views of Adam Price, Plaid Cymru MP for Carmarthon East and Dinefwr regarding Westminster. He is standing down at the next election and is quoted in the South Wales Guardian " If I had my way I'd shut it down tomorrow and turn it into a museum of British democracy because that's what it is". I listen to all these MP's that are standing down and can't help thinking obviously your heart is not in the job so why on earth do you not go now, Betty Williams included.

Sorry, back to Deganwy, we identified a few Tories which we expected but what was encouraging was the support that we received. The information we are gathering is that Labour are finished, Plaid should try to stick to the Assembly, so it's a choice between GutoBebb or Myself.

My team is building up and I would like to thank all those offering help and support. We have deliverers in most parts of Aberconwy now and a team of about 20 to support them as and when. What is more important is that I am enjoying meeting so many people across the constituency and listening to their views, after all if you don't do this how on earth can you say you know your "Patch".

Thursday, 1 October 2009

I've had a number of comments made to me regarding the article in last weeks press and generally positive feedback regarding concerns over solvent and alcohol abuse. Clive Wolfendale, Chief Exec of CAIS drug and alcohol agency has also commented on the problem in this weeks North Wales Weekly News, regarding the effects of solvent abuse and said that he had encountered "kids" who were " Completely out of it", Vomiting heavily, disorientated, doubled up in pain with headaches and stomach cramps. He also states the effects are akin to extreme drunkenness, but can be far more serious. I believe that this issue had to be raised and now being discussed locally, can only be a positive way forward in dealing with this issue.

I am also hoping to meet up with the Charity Re-Solv, who are visiting north Wales soon to discuss the problem further with the Police and hopefully our Education dept here in Conwy, I have promised this charity to assist them anyway I can.

I am pleased that the local newspapers have given front pages to the problems we encountered last Sunday regarding alcohol and possible substance misuse. Today at 10am, I am meeting Council officials and Police at this site to discuss safety improvements for the area, this meeting has been booked for a couple of months. I will use this site meeting as an opportunity to discuss this recent problem. The district police inspector stated that solvent abuse is not something that has been flagged up in community action plans, so today I will flag it up.

I am also attending a police community meeting in the Memorial Hall in Llandudno Junction at 2pm, this will be another opportunity to discuss this and other issues.

Tuesday, 22 September 2009

Well what a day yesterday! I had the afternoon off from 2pm after a meeting was cancelled. I have neglected my garden this year, so decided to catch up with some weeding and mow the lawn, motivated I got stuck in. After about an hour I felt a sting to my right eye, so I went inside to rinse it. The bottom line, was I was in absolute agony and ended up in Llandudno Hospital. Within half an hour I had been seen by a senior nurse and a doctor, placed on anti biotic cream for my eye and tablets for an impending infection on my eyelid. I may be out of action for a day or two and have given apologies for todays meetings.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at Llandudno Hospital for their prompt care and professionalism. It's times like this that make you realise what a great asset we have in Llandudno and it makes me sad and angry when certain individuals and their party try in a round about way to take credit for saving this great place. I have written to the local paper with my views.

I hope that people like me see through cheap stunts like this. After all it was the people that worked tirelessly to save the services at Llandudno hospital, not individuals. Well done to ALL that have given up many hours to protect this hospital in order for people like me to access it.

My wife is away visiting friends in Surrey this weekend. I decided to spend some time with my girls today, well that's what I thought. This morning after breakfast I received a text stating that I had to go and see the state of the underpass at the Flyover in Llandudno Junction. The place was in a terrible state with broken bottles and the stench of urine, my pictures are not great (they were taken from my mobile phone) and don't really show how bad it really was.

Amongst this mess was approximately 30-40 beer bottles, 3 Vodka bottles, 2 aerosol cans and some drug paraphernalia (what we have here is a serious alcohol and substance misues issue). A number of things have been on my mind all day after seeing this mess:

Were the Police involved? no they weren't, they did not receive one call

Should we increase the age limit to purchase alcohol to say 25 years old?

What damage are these people doing to themselves?

Should we increase the price of alcohol off sales?

We know we have a national problem with under age drinking, what on earth are the parents doing to address this problem?

Just a few things going through my mind, so much for my Sunday with the girls (sorry girls) and thanks to the Council for coming out and clearing up after these individuals, it's worth mentioning that there was a youth football match in this area today and at least they did not have to witness such a scene. Also, I know of a blind resident with a guide dog who uses this route most days. So the question is, if respect was taught to our youths (respect yourself, respect others, respect your environment and so on), would this have happened?

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Canvassed in Deganwy this afternoon and early evening and have to say Thank you to the residents who gave myself and the team a warm welcome. I was very encouraged indeed by the positive response on the doorstep.

We never identified one single Labour supporter and that seems to back up the views that Labour are going to collapse here in The New Aberconwy Constituency and the UK in general. Also some interesting views regarding Plaid and their ability to influence in Westminster, an interesting campaign to come.

Tuesday, 15 September 2009

Visited Conwy Honey Fair on Monday with Lord Roberts of Llandudno and have to say it was good to see the crowds of late-Season visitors and locals all snapping up great produce, lots of which were local. This was the 20th Fair organised by volunteers from Conwy Beekeepers' Association and has been built up from a handful of stalls into a major regional event.

Well done to the volunteers from the Conwy Beekeepers' Association and Conwy Estuary Lions without whom this event would not take place and I look forward to your Seed Fair next March. Fairs in Conwy I believe date back some 700 years. If the Town and County Councils continue to support this event, I can only see it going from strength to strength.

Although the fudge I bought was beautiful, I really feel I shouldn't have ate it!!!! Well done to all involved.

Thursday, 10 September 2009

So far we have held seven Environmental Days. These are days where the Council provide skips for residents to dispose of any unwanted household items, generally clean-up areas of graffiti etc and where advice is also given on waste management. On these seven days we have taken away 98.5 Tonnes of unwanted household items of which approximately 60% has been recycled.

It is encouraging to see that after these days, recycling participation rates improve and feedback from the public is very positive indeed.

Tuesday, 8 September 2009

There is much debate regarding whether or not this group should be given a platform on the BBC's Question Time, the fact of the matter is that this party have won seats in Councils across Britain and even have two Members in the European Parliament.

I feel this would be an excellent opportunity to expose them for what they really are and place them under national scrutiny, one question for example could be, " Would you really deter asylum seekers heading for Europe by sinking their Boats".

Monday, 31 August 2009

Well the holiday is now a memory and it's back to work, here is a quick look at what I have on this week, that's without the phone going with any day to day issues which is constant. Not forgetting my emails, usually up to 35 a day and my post which is delivered at home and at Bodlondeb.

Just came across this photo of me and my eldest daughter who at the time was 8 years old. On Sunday my wife and I walked up Conwy Mountain, one of our most favorite places because of the spectacular views. If you can, go there now as the heather is in full colour and looking and smelling beautiful.

Sunday, 30 August 2009

Hello Everyone, just had my family holiday in Lindos, Rhodes. It was quality family time, this was the first real break we have had in 2 years. Last year we had 3 days in Oban in Scotland. I remember this well as I was told off by Lorraine, my good lady for emailing work on my blackberry.

Most of you will know that I am a County Councillor and also Cabinet Member for the Environment. I really do enjoy my job, especially the part where I get to help lots of people. I have also been chosen to stand for parliament in Aberconwy for the Libdems.

Showdown

Conwy Castle from RSPB

About Me

Married to Lorraine, two girls.
I am currently a County Councillor representing the Marl Ward in Llandudno Junction. I am also Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways and Property. I was Chair of Governors at Ysgol Aberconwy and I also Chair the Junction based Teenz and Kidz drama workshop, set up 17 years ago, aimed at getting the children off the streets.
Disclaimer: The views expressed on this blog are my own, and should not be associated officially to Conwy CBC.